Cushioning packaging body containing packaged article, and method and device for manufacturing the packaging body

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for manufacturing a cushioning package containing an article to be packaged, characterized by comprising an article storage space forming unit  3  that forms an article storage space  1   c  by overlapping a cushioning sheet  1  that includes small cells  11  that inflates with air filled therein, a sheet adhering unit that adheres the overlapped cushioning sheet  1  together and closes an article storage opening  1   d , an article disposing unit that disposes an article C to be packaged in the article storage space  1   c , and an air-filling unit that fills air in the small cells  11.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cushioning package containing anarticle to be packaged, to a method of manufacturing it, and to amanufacturing apparatus thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, cushioning packages with a cushioning sheet being ableto be filled with air have often been used in order to package anarticle, such as electrical appliances and parts for machines, whichneeds to be protected.

For example, FIG. 11 shows a cushioning package 101 that is described bythe Official Gazette of Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3009233.This is a cushioning package having an article storage space 103sandwiched by a cushioning sheet that is composed of a plurality ofsmall cells 102, and the packaged article 104 disposed in the articlestorage space 103 is protected by the small cells 102 filled with air.

The above-mentioned cushioning package 101 is, however, one wherein thesmall cells 102 are filled with air after the article 104 to be packagedhas been contained, and because manufacturing of the cushioning package101 itself, containing of the article 104 and filling the small cells102 with air cannot be performed at the same time, a complicated processhas been required in order to manufacture a cushioning packagecontaining an article to be packaged therein.

Thus, the present invention aims to provide a cushioning packagecontaining an article to be packaged, a method of manufacturing it, anda manufacturing apparatus thereof, which can achieve simultaneousmanufacturing of the cushioning package, containing of an article to bepackaged and filling the package with air.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the above problem, a first aspect of the presentinvention provides a cushioning package containing an article to bepackaged comprising a cushioning sheet 1 constituted of overlappedflexible resin sheets, small cells 11 formed by heat-sealing anddividing the cushioning sheet, an article storage space 1 c formed byfolding the cushioning sheet 1, an article storage opening 1 d, and anarticle C to be packaged. The small cells 11 inflates with air filledtherein. The article storage space 1 c is a space enveloped by the smallcells 11 and receiving the article C. The article storage opening 1 dserves as an entrance portion of the article storage space 1 c and isclosed by adhesion after the article C is disposed in the articlestorage space 1 c through the opening 1 d. Filling of air in the smallcells 11 is performed during the disposing placing of the article C inthe article storage space 1 c and the closing of the article storageopening 1 d.

As described above, continuous processes of the disposing of the articleC in the article storage space 1 c, the filling of air in the smallcells 11 and the closing of the article storage opening 1 d can providea readily manufacturable cushioning package containing an article to bepackaged.

In a second aspect of the present invention, as for the above firstaspect, provides the cushioning package containing an article to bepackaged, wherein the article storage space 1 c is adhered to be in ahermetic state where an internal pressure of the space is adjusted. Theadjustment of the internal pressure is performed by sucking out the airin the article storage space 1 c or by filling air or gas like an inertgas in the article storage space 1 c.

As described above, the internal pressure of the article storage space 1c in a hermetic status is designed to be adjusted under a positivepressure or a negative pressure in comparison with the outside of thepackage, thereby being able to manufacture a cushioning package wellsuited and intended for prevention of insufficient air-filling of thesmall cells 11, quality preservation of the packaged article C andimprovement of total cushioning effect of the package.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a method ofmanufacturing a cushioning package containing an article to be packaged,wherein a cushioning sheet 1 made of flexible resin sheets that areplaced one on another, further heat-sealed and divided into small cells11, is used. The method comprises the following processes. A firstprocess is to form an article storage space 1 c by folding thecushioning sheet 1, thus the space is enveloped by the small cells 11. Asecond process to dispose an article C to be packaged in the articlestorage space 1 c through an article storage opening 1 d that serves asan entry portion of the article storage space 1 c. A third process toclose the article storage opening 1 d by adhesion while filling air toinflate the small cells 11. The above processes are performed in therecited order.

The above sequential order of the first process to form an articlestorage space 1 c, the second process to dispose an article C to bepackaged, and the third process to close an article storage opening 1 dachieves efficient manufacturing of a cushioning package containing anarticle to be packaged.

A fourth aspect of the present invention, as for the above third aspect,provides the method of manufacturing a cushioning package containing anarticle to be packaged, wherein the cushioning sheet 1 is an elongatedsheet moving in a longitudinal direction through each of said processes.Said first process comprises a step to fold the cushioning sheet 1 inthe longitudinal direction and another step to adhere edges of theoverlapped cushioning sheet 1 except for a portion that becomes anarticle storage opening 1 d.

As described above, since an elongated cushioning sheet 1 is used tomanufacture a cushioning package containing an article to be packaged,the cushioning sheet 1 can be readily stored in a roll.

A fifth aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus formanufacturing a cushioning package containing an article to be packaged,wherein the apparatus comprises the following units. An article storagespace forming unit 3 forms an article storage space 1 c by overlapping acushioning sheet 1 including small cells 11 that inflates with airfilled therein. A sheet adhering unit 4 adheres the overlappedcushioning sheets 1. An article disposing unit 5 disposes an article Cto be packaged in the article storage space 1 c. And an air-filling unit6 that fills the small cells 11 with air.

As described above, a series of units where a cushioning sheet 1 movesthrough processes the sheet into a cushioning package containing anarticle to be packaged facilitates manufacturing of the cushioningpackage containing an article to be packaged.

A sixth aspect of the present invention, as for the above fifth aspect,provides the apparatus for manufacturing a cushioning package containingan article to be packaged, wherein said sheet adhering unit 4 includes alongitudinal-direction seal section 41 for adhering the cushioning sheet1 in a longitudinal direction and a width-direction seal section 42 foradhering it in a width direction. The longitudinal-direction sealsection 41 forms an air passage 15 that communicates with the smallcells 11 in the cushioning sheet 1. Said air-filling unit 6 includes anair nozzle 61 of which an air discharge portion 61 a situated at the topis disposed inside the air passage 15, and a reverse-flow preventionmember 62 for directing air inside the air passage 15 to the small cells11 by pressing the air passage 15. Both the width-direction seal section42 and the reverse-flow prevention member 62 are provided for a movingbody M, which moves depending on the size of the article C along thelongitudinal direction of the cushioning sheet 1. After the small cells11 are filled with air discharged from the air nozzle 61, the movingbody M moves downstream together with the cushioning sheet 1 that issubsequently adhered by the width-direction seal section 42 to completethe cushioning package containing the article.

As described above, the nature of the moving body M having awidth-direction seal section 42 and a reverse-flow prevention member 62assists in filling small cells 11 with air, and facilitatesmanufacturing of the cushioning package containing an article to bepackaged.

A seventh aspect of the present invention, as for the above sixthaspect, provides the apparatus for manufacturing a cushioning packagecontaining an article to be packaged, wherein the reverse-flowprevention member 62 is provided at its tip 62 b with a recess 62 a thatconforms in shape with the cross-sectional shape of the air nozzle 61 a.The tip 62 b presses the air passage 15 while the recess 62 a acceptsthe air nozzle 61 disposed inside the air passage 15, whereby the airpassage 15 is closed except for the portion where the air nozzle 61 isdisposed.

As described above, press on the air passage 15 by the tip 62 b of thereverse-flow prevention member 62 ensures that the air supplied from theair nozzle 61 fills the small cells 11.

An eighth aspect of the present invention, as for the above sixth orseventh aspect, provides the apparatus for manufacturing a cushioningpackage containing an article to be packaged, wherein the air-fillingunit 6 includes an adjusting nozzle 63, the tip of which is disposed inthe article storage space 1 c. The adjusting nozzle 63 includes a meansfor adjusting the internal pressure of the article storage space 1 c.Said means is capable of sucking out the air in the article storagespace 1 c or of filling air or gas like an inert gas into the articlestorage space 1 c.

As described above, the internal pressure of the article storage space 1c is adjusted by the adjusting nozzle 63 under a positive pressure or anegative pressure in comparison with the outside of the package, therebybeing able to manufacture a cushioning package well suited and intendedfor prevention of insufficient air-filling of the small cells 11,quality preservation of the packaged article C and improvement of totalcushioning effect of the package.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cushioning sheet in a state ofmaster sheet.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a manufacturing apparatusaccording to an example of the present invention from its front, with anarticle disposing unit excluded therefrom.

FIG. 3(A) is a major part enlarged explanatory view showing a reversefolding means in the manufacturing apparatus, and FIG. 3(B) is an A-Across-sectional view of FIG. 3(A).

FIG. 4 is a perspective explanatory view showing a cushioning sheetwherein longitudinal direction seals have been formed.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing an article disposing unit in themanufacturing apparatus from its front.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the same from its left side.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the same from its plan.

FIG. 8(A) is a major part explanatory view showing a state where thecushioning sheet is filled with air in the manufacturing apparatusaccording to an example of the present invention, and FIG. 8(B) is anexplanatory view showing a reverse-flow prevention member in saidapparatus.

FIG. 9 is a major part explanatory view showing a state where a movingbody is moved downward subsequent to filling of the cushioning sheetwith air in the manufacturing apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a perspective explanatory view showing an example of acushioning package of the present invention which contains an article tobe packaged.

FIG. 11 is a perspective explanatory view showing an example of aconventional cushioning package containing an article to be packaged.

WELL MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An apparatus for manufacturing a cushioning package containing anarticle to be packaged is described with reference to the drawings as anexample of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is anexplanatory view showing a manufacturing apparatus of the presentexample from its front, with an article disposing unit excludedtherefrom. FIGS. 5 to 7 are explanatory views showing an articledisposing unit.

The manufacturing apparatus of the present example processes anelongated master sheet 1 a in which small cells 11 have been alreadyformed, wrapping an article C to be packaged, filling the small cells 11with air, to manufacture a cushioning package containing an article tobe packaged.

A cushioning sheet 1 used as master sheet 1 a is constituted ofoverlapped flexible resin sheets made of polyethylene, nylon or the likethat, and is heat-sealed and divided in order to include small cells 11as shown in FIG. 1. The master sheet 1 a is an elongated type with theinvariable width.

In this embodiment, the small cells 11 are a strip-like shape withbottom seals 12 spaced at equal intervals.

At this stage, each of the small cells 11 in the master sheet 1 aremains unclosed in a tubular configuration with both lateral ends 11 a,11 b open since a longitudinal seal 14 as shown in FIG. 4 is formedlater (by the sheet adhering unit 4).

Also, at one end 11 a of the small cell 11 is provided a check valve 13that can prevent a reverse flow of the air filled in the cell 11 not toleak, and admit air into the small cell 11. With the present embodiment,provision of sealing forms a pathway where the sheets are joinedtogether. The structure of the check valve is not limited to this, andmore variations in structure may be employed. This check valve 13 isprovided as needed, and may be omitted. In the case of the omission ofthe check valve 13, after the small cells are filled with air, theentrance of small cells 11 and air passages 15 have to be closed byheat-sealing or the like to prevent air from leaking.

The master sheet 1 a as processed above is wound in a roll as shown inFIG. 2 and set in a most upstream position of the manufacturingapparatus.

The shape of a small cell 11 formed in the master sheet 1 a is notlimited to a strip-like configuration as described above. It isapplicable that a circular or oval small cell is formed and each cell isinterconnected at an air passage. Or it is applicable that the seal 12is not formed and the cushioning sheet 1 itself makes a layer of air,i.e. one large cell as a cell 11. Furthermore, even the seals 12 areformed like the present example, the intervals between the seals may benon-uniform as the small cells 11 in a different size are formed.

That is, it is possible to form or shape the small cells 11 as long asthey can be filled with air therein.

As shown in FIG. 2, the manufacturing apparatus of the present examplecomprises a master sheet feeding unit 2, an article storage spaceforming unit 3, a sheet adhering unit 4, an article disposing unit 5 andan air-filling unit 6. Next, each of said units is described.

It should be noted that, although the following explanation of steps inthe manufacturing apparatus of the present example is given in an order,the order of the steps in the present invention should not be construedas being limited to the order of the present example and can beappropriately interchanged and implemented within a possible range.Also, some of the steps may be omitted depending on the case

The master sheet feeding unit 2 pulls out the master sheet 1 a wound ina roll and supplies it in a taut state to the units on the downstreamside. The sheet feeding adjustment unit also has a drive roller 21 and atension adjusting arm 22, both of which are driven in conjunction with amoving body M, so that the master sheet 1 a is pulled out by the lengthwhich the sheet is delivered downstream without loosening on theupstream side.

The article storage space forming unit 3 folds the cushioning sheet 1and forms an article storage space 1 c by being enveloped by the foldedcushioning sheet 1.

In the present example, the article storage space forming unit 3comprises a bending means 31, a folding means 32 and a reverse bendingmeans 33.

The bending means 31 comprises a central supporting portion 31 a forsupporting a substantial center of the width direction of the cushioningsheet 1 on the downstream side, and a width end supporting portion 31 bfor supporting the vicinity of both ends in the width direction of thecushioning sheet 1 on the upstream side, thereby forming a crease in thesubstantial center of the width direction of the cushioning sheet 1.Specifically, it is a substantially isosceles-triangular plate seen inplane view, with the vertex (one between equal sides) thereof being thecentral support portion 31 a and with the equal sides being the widthend supporting portion 31 b. In this embodiment, the plate is disposedso as to diagonally face upward from the upstream side to the downstreamside.

In moving through the bending means 31, the cushioning sheet 1 is bentalong the width end supporting portion (each of the equal sides) 31 b,and consequently given a crease 1 b on the central supporting portion(the vertex) 31 a thereof.

The bending means 31 is not limited to a plate as in the presentexample, and may be a V-shaped rod member only with a vertex and sidesof equal length. Moreover, it may support the sheet by the points on thevertex and the vicinity of the ends (not required to be its edge) in thewidth direction of the cushioning sheet 1. In other wards, as long ascrease is formed in the substantial center of the cushioning sheet 1 andthe sheet 1 is bent and supported around the width ends not to causetrouble by the curling sheet 1 and affect the following steps,alternatives of the configuration is acceptable.

The folding means 32, a set of two pieces and disposed next on thedownstream side to the central supporting portion 31 a of the bendingmeans 31, folds the cushioning sheet 1 along the crease 1 b, which isformed as described above, by rollers 32 a, 32 a for guiding and holdingthe sheet 1 therebetween.

In the present example, the rollers 32 a, 32 a are vertically placed asshown in FIG. 2, because the crease 1 b is formed top and both side endsare down of the sheet 1 as the bending means 31 bends the sheet 1.

The reverse folding means 33 comprises a middle-part supporting portion33 b for supporting the middle of the cushioning sheet 1 on the upstreamside, and a width end supporting portion 33 c for supporting thevicinity of the ends in the width direction of the cushioning sheet 1 onthe downstream side, thereby forming an article storage space 1 c byfolding the sheet 1, which has been folded by the folding means 32,inside out so as to envelop the space.

As shown in FIG. 2, after the master sheet 1 a placed right and down inthe figure moves through the bending means 31 and the folding means 32,both of which are disposed above from the position of the sheet 1 in thefigure, the sheet 1 faces transverse. The reverse folding means 33 inthe present example is provided to aim to turn the transverse-facingcushioning sheet 1 to face axially, and to easily put an article C to bepackaged in the article storage space 1 c in the sheet 1 inconsideration of a layout of the manufacturing apparatus. The means,however, may be omitted. In case the reverse folding means 33 isomitted, a configuration of space enveloped by the folded cushioningsheet 1 after moving through the folding means 32 becomes an articlestorage space 1 c.

As shown in FIG. 3(B), a specific structure of the reverse folding means33 in the present example comprises parallel plates 33 a, 33 a betweenwhich the cushioning sheet 1 moves. A substantial right-angle isoscelestriangle plate in side view is used for the plate 33 a. The hypotenuseof the triangle serves as the width end supporting portion 33 c of theplate 33 a, and, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3(A), is placed to make thedownstream side underneath. Also, one of the vertexes in a high portionof the hypotenuse 33 c is the middle-part supporting portions 33 b.

The cushioning sheet 1 with the crease 1 b positioned upward is placedon the opposing plates 33 a along the hypotenuse 33 c. As the sheet 1moves downward in a manner that the cushioning sheet 1 falls between theplates 33 a, 33 a, the crease 1 b is inverted and the sheet 1 turnsinside out.

In this manner, as shown in FIG. 3(B), the cushioning sheet 1 makes aU-shape as following the plates 33 a, 33 a, and the space enveloped bythe cushioning sheet 1 becomes the article storage space 1 c.

Here, as the interval between the plates 33 a, 33 a of the reversefolding means 33 or the installation position (the left and rightdirections in FIG. 2) thereof in the manufacturing apparatus leavechangeable by fastening with bolts and nuts, the dimensions of bag canchange, and alternative types of a cushioning bag can be produced by asingle manufacturing apparatus.

The sheet adhering unit 4 adheres the cushioning sheet 1 into which themaster sheet 1 a has been merely folded in order to envelop an article Cto be packaged by heat-sealing or the like.

This sheet adhering unit 4 includes a longitudinal-direction sealsection 41 and a width-direction seal section 42. Thelongitudinal-direction seal section 41 is disposed on the downstreamside of the reverse folding means 33. This longitudinal-direction sealsection 41 is to provide a longitudinal direction seal 14 along thelongitudinal direction at the unclosed end side of the U-shapedcushioning sheet 1, as shown in FIG. 3(B), whereby the cushioning sheet1 is formed cylindrical to envelop the article storage space 1 c, asshown in FIG. 4.

Also, as the longitudinal direction seal 14 is provided, an air passage15 is formed between the longitudinal direction seal 14 and the bottomseal 12 that has been already provided on the master sheet 1 a.

The width-direction seal section 42 disposed for a moving body M, whichis described later, is to provide a width direction seal 16 in the widthdirection of the cushioning sheet 1 in order to close the articlestorage space 1 c and the air passage 15.

In the present example, first, a width direction seal 16 for receivingthe article C is formed on the end portion of the width side of thecushioning sheet 1, as shown in FIG. 2. The upstream side of the articlestorage space 1 c is unclosed at this moment, and the unclosed side hasan opening id serving as an inlet of the article storage space 1 c.Then, after the article C is put in the article storage space 1 cthrough the opening 1 d, the width direction seal 16 is formed at theopening 1 d too, thus the article storage space 1 c is closed.

Seals 14, 16 made in respective directions are not limited toheat-sealing in this example, and sealing method may be changeable suchas adhesives and the like. The sealing method can change theconfiguration of the seal.

Although the seal is provided in a continuous line in this example, aconfiguration of the seal may be formed with not only a continual dottedline but with a broken line so as to be able to let air flow tocommunicate inside and outside the article storage space 1 c

The article disposing unit 5 comprising a chuck section 51, a movablearm 52 and drive cylinders 53 a, 53 b as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, isdisposed above the reverse folding means 33, as represented by a dottedline in FIG. 2.

Each section of the article disposing unit 5 is driven by air pressure,with the movable arm 52 and the drive cylinders 53 a, 53 b being coupledtogether. Thus, the movable arm can be moved. At a lower end of themovable arm 52 is disposed the chuck section 51 in order to grip thearticle C. For this reason, the chuck section is moved up, down, leftand right.

Although the article disposing unit 5 in the present example employs thedrive cylinders 53 a, 53 b, the present invention is not limited theretoand can employ alternative drive units. When employing a servomotor, forexample, the article C can be disposed in the article storage space 1 ceven the configuration of the article C has changed.

Here, a process for disposing the article C, which is at the side of thereverse folding means 33, is explained while making reference to FIG. 2.First, the article C is held by the chuck section 51 and moved up by avertical direction drive cylinder 53 a (operation

: a first Japanese letter in order equivalent to A). Then, a horizontaldirection drive cylinder 53 b moves the article right and position itright above the article storage space 1 c (operation

: a second Japanese letter in order equivalent to B). Then, the movablearm 52, being moved downward by the vertical direction drive cylinder 53a, transfers the article C down to the inside of the article storagespace 1 c and puts it next to the width direction seal 16 which ispre-formed at the end of the downstream side of the cushioning sheet 11(operation

: a third Japanese letter in order equivalent to C), and the chucksection 51 spreads to release the article C. Thereafter, the chucksection 51 performs a reverse movement and returns to where it startsoperating.

By repeating the above-described operation, an article C to be packed isdisposed in the article storage space 1 c continuously.

As for the air-filling unit 6 in the present embodiment, a pipe nozzle61 is disposed inside the air passage 15 of the cushioning sheet 1 asshown in FIG. 2. The nozzle 61 extends rightward and curves downward atthe position that is further upstream than the longitudinal directionseal section 41, and is fixed to the manufacturing apparatus.

The air supplied from an air-supplying unit (not shown in the figure)such as a compressor is discharged through the nozzle 61 from an airdischarge portion 61 a, which is a tip of the nozzle.

Also, in the present embodiment, an adjusting nozzle 63 that shapes sameas the nozzle 61 is disposed parallel to the nozzle 61. A tip of theadjusting nozzle 63 is disposed in the article storage space 1 c of thecushioning sheet 1.

Here, description is be given of the procedure by which the small cells11 are filled with air and the cushioning package containing thepackaged article is completed with respect to the cushioning sheet 1 ofthe state where the article C is disposed in the article storage space 1c as described above.

The manufacturing apparatus of the present embodiment is provided with amoving body M that vertically moves along the longitudinal direction ofthe cushioning sheet 1. The moving body M comprises the width-directionseal section 42, an anti-reverse flow member 62 for holding thecushioning sheet 1 in the width direction, and a cutter 7 for cuttingthe cushioning sheet 1.

As shown in FIG. 8(A), the cushioning sheet 1 with the article Cdisposed in the article storage space 1 c is supplied with air which isdischarged from the air discharge portion 61 a of the nozzle 61 disposedin the air passage 15, and the air is filled in the small cells 11through the air passage 15. At this moment, the anti-reverse flow member62 is disposed in somewhat further upstream position than the airdischarge portion 61 a of the nozzle 61, holding the cushioning sheet 1.This anti-reverse flow member is a plate member where recesses 62 a, 62a of substantially rectangular or half-oval shape in cross-sectionalview as shown in FIG. 8(B) are formed to recess a part of the planar tip62 b in the end of the member, and the nozzle 61 and the adjustingnozzle 63 are disposed at the recesses 62 a, 62 a. Here, with regard tothe nozzle 61, the tip 62 b presses the air passage 15 of the cushioningsheet 1, whereby the air supplied from the nozzle 61 as described aboveis prevented from leak and reverse flow in the upstream direction. So isthe adjusting nozzle 63.

Here, it is preferable that the nozzle 61, the adjusting nozzle 63 andthe shape of the recesses 62 a have a structure that does not wrinklethe cushioning sheet 1 when the anti-reverse flow member 62 holds thesheet 1. For example, a dimension of the anti-reverse flow member 62crossing the longitudinal direction makes as short as possible.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the moving body M moves downward by apredetermined distance. Specifically, it moves by the length equivalentto making one portion of a cushioning package containing an article.Since the anti-reverse flow member 62 still holds the cushioning sheet 1as described above, the cushioning sheet 1 is also moved downwardtogether with the movement of the moving body M. The master sheetfeeding unit 2 is operated in conjunction with this movement so that themaster sheet 1 a is supplied from the roll of master sheet by the lengththat the moving body M has moved.

The length that the moving body M moves is appropriately adjustable.Thus, a desirable cushioning package can be manufactured that matchesthe size of an article C to be packaged.

Then, in this state, the width-direction seal 16 is formed at thearticle storage opening 1 d by the width-direction seal section 42 andcloses the opening. In the width-direction seal section 42, seal bars 42a, being an edge portion of abutting against the cushioning sheet 1, aredisposed parallel in two rows, whereby the width direction seals 16 areformed parallel in two rows on the sheet 1.

As the article storage opening 1 d is closed by being formed with thewidth-direction seals 16, the cutter 7 cuts between the width-directionseals 16 disposed in two rows. Shown in FIG. 10, one portion ofcushioning package containing an article to be packaged is completedwhile the small cells 11 that have been filled with air envelops thearticle C to be packaged.

The manufacturing step comprising each of the aforementioned units issequentially proceeded in the present invention, so a cushioning packagecontaining an article to be packaged can be efficiently manufactured.

Here, the function of the adjusting nozzle 63 will be described.

Referring to filling of the small cells 11 with air, when the airdischarge portion 61 a of the nozzle 61 discharges air while thecushioning sheet 1 is pressed by the above-described reverse-flowprevention member 62, the small cells 11 are filled with the air and theinflated small cells 11 as shown in FIG. 9 press the article storagespace 1 c. This is because the article storage space 1 c in the presentembodiment is in a sealed state by the longitudinal direction seal 14,the fold 1 b, the width direction seals 16 and the press of thereverse-flow prevention member 62. Because of this, a check valve 13 ispressed and the air flowing from the air passage 15 to the small cells11 stops, resulting in insufficient air-filling of the small cells 11.

The internal pressure of the article storage space 1 c is adjusted bysucking out the air inside the sealed article storage space 1 c throughthe adjusting nozzle 63 disposed in the sealed article storage space 1c, which can prevent said insufficient air-filling.

As for different use of the adjusting nozzle 63, in the case thepackaged article C may rust or deteriorate due to humidity or exposureof air, deaeration of the article storage space 1 c is done via theadjusting nozzle 63 before filling an inert gas such as nitrogen gasinto the article storage space 1 c to preserve the product quality ofthe packaged article C.

Adoption of nylon which excellently blocks air for the cushioning sheet1 and a hermetic state of the article storage space 1 c by sealing thecushioning sheet 1 with the heat seal 14, 16 prevents outflow of theinert gas from the inside and inflow of air from the outside, preservingthe product quality of the packaged article C over a long period oftime.

Dual cushioning effect can be achieved by filling the article storagespace 1 c with air from the adjusting nozzle 63 after the small cellshave been already inflated to provide a cushioning effect to the articlestorage space 1 c itself together with the small cells 11. This mayimprove the cushioning effect of the entire cushioning package.

Thus, by adjusting the internal pressure of the article storage space 1c to a positive pressure or a negative pressure in comparison with theoutside, a cushioning package that is well suited for the intended usecan be made.

In the present embodiment, the small cells 11 are filled with air beforethe article storage opening 1 d is closed by forming the width-directionseal 16. As for the order, the width-direction seal 16 may be formedfirst or simultaneously where the article storage space 1 c does nothave to be in a sealed state because the cushioning sheet 1 contains acheck valve 13.

The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to theabove-described embodiment and can be varied.

For example, instead of folding a single cushioning sheet 1 as in thepresent embodiment, all four sides of the opposing cushioning sheets 1or three sides other than one longitudinal direction side or the twowidth direction sides of two opposing cushioning sheets 1 may be adheredto form the article storage space 1 c. With all four sides adhered, acompletely sealed cushioning package is formed. With three sides otherthan one longitudinal direction side adhered, a cushioning packagehaving one opening is formed. With the two width direction sidesadhered, a sleeve-type cushioning package is formed.

In conjunction with the foregoing processes, forming small cells 11 andmounting a check valve 13 may be carried out during a series of theprocesses on a blank resin sheet where any process has not been applied.

Also, instead of forming the article storage space 1 c and thendisposing the article C in the article storage space 1 c as in thepresent embodiment, the article C may be disposed on the master sheet 1a, i.e. spread cushioning sheet 1, before the packaging and filling ofthe small cells 11 with air.

When a cushioning package containing an article is formed by a series ofsteps as described above, the invention can be implemented by variouslychanging the procedure of the steps and the processing method within thescope of the present invention.

The present invention has the following excellent effects.

In the first aspect of the present invention, continuous processes ofthe disposing of the article C in the article storage space 1 c, thefilling of air in the small cells 11 and the closing of the articlestorage opening 1 d can provide a readily manufacturable cushioningpackage containing an article to be packaged.

In the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effectof the first aspect, an internal pressure of the article storage space 1c in a hermetic state is designed to be adjusted under a positivepressure or a negative pressure in comparison with the outside of thepackage, thereby being able to manufacture a cushioning package wellsuited and intended for prevention of insufficient air-filling of thesmall cells 11, quality preservation of the packaged article C andimprovement of total cushioning effect of the package.

In the third aspect of the present invention, the sequential order ofthe first process to form an article storage space 1 c, the secondprocess to dispose an article to be packaged in the article storagespace 1 c, and the third process to close an article storage opening 1 dachieve efficient manufacturing of a cushioning package containing anarticle to be packaged.

In the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effectof the third aspect, since an elongated cushioning sheet 1 is used tomanufacture a cushioning package containing an article to be packed, thecushioning sheet 1 can be readily stored in a roll.

In the fifth aspect of the present invention, a series of units toprocess a cushioning sheet 1 into a cushioning package containing anarticle to be packaged facilitate manufacturing of a cushioning packagecontaining an article.

In the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effectof the fifth aspect, the nature of the moving body M having awidth-direction seal section 42 and a reverse-flow prevention member 62assists in filling the small cells with air, and facilitatesmanufacturing of the cushioning package containing an article to bepackaged.

In the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to theeffect of the sixth aspect, press on an air passage 15 by a tip 62 b ofthe reverse-flow prevention member 62 ensures that the air supplied fromthe air nozzle 61 fills the small cells 11.

In the eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition the effectsof the sixth or seventh aspect, the internal pressure of the articlestorage space 1 c is adjusted by an adjusting nozzle 63 under a positivepressure or a negative pressure in comparison with the outside of thepackage, thereby being able to manufacture a cushioning package wellsuited and intended for prevention of insufficient air-filling of thesmall cells 11, quality preservation of the packaged article C andimprovement of total cushioning effect of the cushioning package.

1. A method of manufacturing a cushioning package containing an articleto be packaged, said method comprising the steps of: feeding acushioning sheet made of flexible resin sheets that are placed one onanother along a longitudinal direction of the cushioning sheet,heat-sealed and divided into a group of independent small cells in theshape of a strip; forming an article storage space by folding thecushioning sheet along a crease crossing said small cells, the creasebeing transverse to a longitudinal direction of the small cells, thearticle storage space being enveloped by the small cells, and a side ofthe cushioning sheet opposite to the crease being open; disposing anarticle to be packaged in the article storage space through an articlestorage opening that serves as an entry portion of the article storagespace; and closing the article storage opening by adhesion while fillingair from one side of an end of each of the small cells to inflate thesmall cells that the crease crosses; the aforementioned steps offorming, disposing and closing being performed in the recited order,wherein said step of forming is comprised of folding the cushioningsheet in the longitudinal direction and adhering edges of the overlappedcushioning sheet, except for a portion of the edges that becomes anarticle storage opening, said step of adhering further comprising thesteps of: providing the folded cushioning sheet with a longitudinaldirection seal at the open side along the longitudinal direction; andforming an air passage in communication with each of the small cells atthe open end along the longitudinal direction of the sheet, said step ofdisposing is comprised of moving the article along the longitudinaldirection of the cushioning sheet, and placing the article inside thearticle storage space, and said step of closing is comprised ofdisposing a tip of a nozzle inside the air passage along thelongitudinal direction of the cushioning sheet and filling air in eachof the small cells via the air passage through the nozzle.